Being in quarantine can be a gift or a curse for couples.

Believe it or not, if you handle your extensive amount of quarantine time together well, you’ll come out on the other side of COVID-19 a stronger couple than ever. You’ll learn how to communicate and listen to one another, enhance your intimacy, and learn how to have more fun together than ever.

On the other hand, couples who don’t make a plan for quarantining together may not even be in a relationship by the time social distancing ends!

Yes, it’s easy to become irritated with your spouse when you’re stuck in the same space together 24/7. Even the littlest things can put you on edge. That’s why it’s so important to make a plan for how to handle your time together.

Here are 7 expert pieces of advice for couples in quarantine.

1. Get on the Same Page

• You’re afraid of getting COVID-19
• Your partner thinks people are making “too big a deal” about getting the virus
• You are wearing gloves and a mask at the grocery store and washing your hands like crazy
• Your spouse doesn’t care about taking extra cleanly precautions
• You are social distancing
• Your spouse is not

It’s easy to see how these different approaches to handling the pandemic can create stress and tension in a relationship.

For you both to thrive during your quarantine life, you need to get on the same page about how to handle things at home.

If your partner is someone who could be seriously affected by getting the virus (such as if they are elderly or have asthma), it won’t hurt to take extra precautions to make them feel safe. After all, aren’t relationships about compromise?

2. Create Healthy Boundaries

One great piece of expert relationship advice for those in quarantine together is to create healthy boundaries by scheduling in some alone time.

Spending time apart can be healthy for a relationship. It doesn’t mean that you don’t love your partner or that you don’t enjoy spending time with them, it means that you want to focus some time for personal care, your hobbies, and your friends.

When you carve out time to do whatever makes you the happiest, you rejuvenate yourself and de-stress. Not only does this make you feel joyful, but it makes you more of a joy for your partner to be around.

3. Focus on the Positive

In times when it feels like the world is going crazy, the news can be pretty depressing.

It’s good to be informed, but overwhelming yourself with news about deaths, COVID-19 cases rising, and what’s going on in your city can actually be harmful to your mental health and your relationship.

Instead of obsessing over the pandemic or letting the subject dominate your conversations with your spouse, focus on the positive.

• Have you or your spouse had the virus? If not, this is a blessing. Be thankful!
• Quarantine and COVID-19 will not last forever. Why not make a dream board/list with your spouse of all the things you can’t wait to do when this is over?
• Do you live somewhere that has access to food, water, and toilet paper?

Keep a positive mindset during quarantine and try to look for the good in your life.

Focusing on three things to be thankful for at the end of the day can be a refreshing and beneficial exercise to share with your partner.

4. Spend time with friends and family

The Journal of Health and Social Behavior shows that adults who are socially connected with friends, family, and romantic partners are healthier than their isolated peers.

Don’t neglect your friends and family just because you can’t see them in person. Schedule weekly online visits where you can watch a movie, play games, or just talk and catch up. You will feel so much better when you have the opportunity to connect with the ones you love.

5. Keep up with Healthy Habits

Your mental health is going to play a huge role in how you handle being quarantined for the next little while. I promise you that keeping up or forming healthy habits will make a world of difference in your experience. Some ideas include:

• Go for walks regularly
• Get at least 30 minutes of active exercise each day
• Meditate or do yoga
• Have some fun exercise with your spouse
• Eat regularly and get enough water
• Take time to focus on your mental health and get yourself in a positive headspace

6. Make Time for Intimacy

Sex is a great way to connect with your partner and reduce stress at the same time. Sounds like a win/win, right?

When you are intimate with your spouse, your body releases a hormone called Oxytocin. This cuddle hormone is responsible for feelings of partner bonding, trust, happiness, improves cardiovascular health, and acts as a natural antidepressant.

Regularly make time for some mind-blowing sex with your spouse. You can refer to some sex tips that can help you spice things up. Your quarantine-life (and partner!) will thank you.

7. Go Digital When Possible

For couples who have been forced apart due to social distancing laws, I feel for you. It’s tough to be away from the one you love. You’re so lovesick, you likely roll your eyes when you hear other couples mention how they can’t stand being in such close quarters as their spouse any longer.

Social distancing still allows you to go outside together. Schedule regular walks with your sweetheart or have meals together outside.

If you’re unable to see your partner regularly, go digital when you can. Use video chats to socialize with your spouse, syncing up shows and movies, listening to podcasts together, or just catching up.

Don’t let your relationship be soiled by spending too much time together. Communicate your needs, focus on the positive in your lives, keep up with your healthy habits, and make personal-care essential. By following this expert advice for couples in quarantine, you can pull your relationship from its COVID-19 funk.

Rachael Pace is a noted writer currently associated with Marriage.com. She provides inspiration, support, and empowerment in the form of her motivational articles and essays. Rachael enjoys studying about today’s evolving forms of loving partnerships and is passionate about writing on all types of romantic connections. She believes that everyone should make room for love in their lives and encourages couples to work on overcoming their challenges together.

Image courtesy of Jonathan Borba.